Tribute to a chaplain

Earlier this summer we buried an extraordinary man and a wonderful priest. Monsignor Frank McGrath passed away on June 10 in Naples, FL, after a brief battle with cancer. In addition to the many parishes and organizations he ministered to during his 50-plus years of priestly ministry, most recently Monsignor McGrath served as chaplain to Ave Maria School of Law and to the Naples Chapter of Legatus. As I think about his life and the impact of his priesthood, it strikes me that he exemplified what it means to be a chaplain. 

I first met Monsignor McGrath in the early 1980s. While he was a priest of the Diocese of Bridgeport, he was serving the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in Ann Arbor, MI, as the first pastor of Christ the King Parish. He spent more than a dozen years in Ann Arbor. During this time, I got to know him as a priest and a friend. After returning to serve in Bridgeport for more than two decades, through God’s providence and the generosity of Bishop Frank Caggiano, in 2014 he moved to Naples to serve as the chaplain at the law school and later also for the Naples Chapter. 

There is not enough room to capture all of what made Monsignor McGrath such an extraordinary priest and chaplain, but let me share a few things. He had the gift of accompaniment. Whether he was listening to a Legatus member talk about the challenges of running a business in today’s complex society or a first-year law student who was struggling with the rigors of school, Monsignor was always very present. He not only listened intently and often had wise counsel to share, but after a conversation one walked away with a sense of having been heard and understood, and that he would be with you on the journey, so to speak. 

This was my experience during the many years he served as my confessor. I imagine this is why he was so beloved by the faculty, staff, and students at Ave Maria School of Law. He also had served as a chaplain to several fire departments, including NYFD Rescue 1 in New York City, where he ministered to many firefighters and their families in the aftermath of 9/11. It was clear from stories shared at his funeral that they too felt accompanied. In fact, the NYFD named a truck after Monsignor McGrath after his passing. 

Bishop Caggiano called Monsignor McGrath shortly before he passed away because he was told that Monsignor likely did not have much time left. During their brief conversation, Monsignor McGrath told the bishop that while the prognosis was not good, it was good news. “Bishop, I have spent my entire life for this,” he said. “I am ready, and I am happy.” Although he was in much pain and facing death, he had such courage. 

I think it fitting to end with the words of our international chaplain, Bishop Caggiano, from his closing remarks at Monsignor’s funeral: “We are laying to rest an extraordinary man and a wonderful priest.”